Your Norwegian Cruise Is Booked - Now What?

During the booking process, I either used your existing Latitudes account number (if you have sailed NCL previously) or a Latitudes number was generated for you. 

If you have an EXISTING NCL Account, your cruise should automatically sync. Log into NCL.com and make sure you can see your cruise. If you do not remember your user name or password, there is a link you can follow to get those. I cannot help retrieve user names or passwords you have previously set up. 

If you DO NOT HAVE an existing NCL account, you will want to register for a new account. 

• Go to NCL.com
• Click on "Register" at the top
• Enter First & Last names, Date of Birth
• Mark YES to the question if you are a Latitudes member. During the booking process, a Latitudes number would have been generated for you if you did not have one. Your Latitudes number will be on your booking. Let me know if you cannot find it.
• Mark YES to the question if you are working with a travel agent.
• You can leave the promotion email box unchecked. 

You will likely be prompted to create a password. Continue following all prompts until your account is created and you can log in. Once logged in, you should be able to see your cruise. 

Shore excursions can be booked anytime after your deposit. If your cruise is really far out there may not be many shore excursions populated yet and more may be added later. However, I encourage you to take a look at shore excursions to see if there is anything you are interested in -- and book early. 

You can see which excursions are available by logging into your NCL.com account, go to "Explore and Plan," then choose "Shore Excursions." You can click on "more details" and learn all the details pertaining to the excursions, the difficulty level, the terms and conditions for cancelling, etc. 

If you chose the perks package with your sailing, you received a shore excursion discount of $50 per cabin, per port. This excursion credit will show if it is available for the excursion you are considering. (It is not a per person discount, but rather a per cabin discount.) It will be applied only to the first person listed on the cabin. So, if the two people in the cabin are not planning on the same excursions, this may cause issues with the credit. Contact me if you don't plan on taking the same excursions.

DINING

There is a good chance your booking entitles you to 1 or more specialty dining options on the ship for free (if you chose the perks package). Each ship has different offerings, so you will want to log into your NCL account and see what is available. 

• Once you log into NCL.com and find your cruise, go to "Explore and Plan"
• Choose "Dining"
• You will see a list of restaurants that say "complimentary" or "ala carte" or "cover charge applies. 
  • Complimentary restaurants are included with your cruise fare. There are no reservations taken for these restaurants. 
  • A La Carte means the menu will list the various prices for each item. If you choose to dine at an "ala carte" restaurant as your included specialty dining option, the server will explain how to order. It generally comes with unlimited appetizers, one main course, and unlimited desserts. However, that is subject to the restaurant and current terms and conditions. Ask your server for details. You can also choose to dine at one of these restaurants outside of your specialty dining plan (if you have one) and will pay for your meal according to what you order. 
  • "Cover Charge Applies" means you pay one flat rate to dine at that restaurant. If you chose to dine at a "cover charge applies" restaurant as your included specialty dining option, you will not be charged this fee. If you choose to dine at one of these restaurants outside of your specialty dining package, you will pay the fee to dine there. 

I highly recommend you take a look at the options, know how many specialty dining options you are entitled to with your booking, and know what you would like to book when the booking window open at 120 days prior to your sailing. The most popular specialty restaurants and dining times are snatched up quickly when the window opens. 

If you do not have specialty dining included in your booking and wish to dine at a specialty restaurant, you are welcome to purchase a specialty dining package through your NCL account or even just one restaurant. 

Beverages are not included at any restaurant aside from non-bottled water, tea, and coffee. However, your beverage package (if you have one) is applied so that you can order drinks with your meal. 

ENTERTAINMENT

NCL does offer reservations for some of their onboard entertainment. Not all entertainment is able to be reserved in advance, but if it is offered -- I highly recommend making a reservation. 

Log into your NCL.com account, go to "Explore & Plan" and then "Onboard Entertainment". You will see a list of various entertainment and/or venues available on your ship. 

• Some items will cost extra should you choose to purchase them.
• Some items are complimentary. 
• If it says "too early to book" that means you need to wait until a certain date to book. If you click "Select" it will tell you the date you can book. Generally, it is 120 days prior to sailing. I highly recommend you book early to guarantee your preferred time/date. 
• If it says "Reservations Not Offered" that means you cannot book online in advance. Most of the time, you just show up. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. In other cases, you may be able to book once onboard (such as time slots at the race track, etc.)

BOOKING SPECIALITY DINING

If you booked with the NCL Free @ Sea perks package, you most likely have 1-2 nights of complimentary specialty dining for Guests 1 & 2.  You will make the reservations for these on Norwegian Cruise Line's website or app.  

You can purchase extra nights of specialty dining anytime!  Check your ship for the specific restaurants onboard.  Read on for descriptions and links to videos of each eatery.

• Looking for a unique experience? Moderno Churrascaria, Norwegian's authentic Brazilian steakhouse, is a must. Start with an impressive salad bar, but save room for skewers of slow-roasted meats carved table side by our Pasadores.
• Surround yourself with classic décor and plates of rich French cuisine, such as bouillabaisse and cote de boeuf, at Le Bistro on Norwegian.
• Steak is the standard at Cagney's Steakhouse on Norwegian. Sip your favorite cocktail as you select from choice cuts of perfectly prepared Certified Angus Beef. And don't forget to order our famous truffle fries.
• Enjoy the finest ingredients at the vibrant Italian restaurants on Norwegian. Dine on classics like pasta carbonara or lobster fettuccine. Then indulge in the affogato. Your evening just went from good to great.
• The sizzles and surprises never cease at Teppanyaki, our authentic Japanese Hibachi restaurant. Sit at a lively shared table as a skillful chef perfectly grills steak, seafood and chicken on a large steel grill.
• Looking for a unique experience? Moderno Churrascaria, Norwegian's authentic Brazilian steakhouse, is a must. Start with an impressive salad bar, but save room for skewers of slow-roasted meats carved table side by our Pasadores.

Please watch this important video explaining Online Check-In.

Online check in begins 21 days prior to your sailing date and ends 3 days prior to your sailing date. It is important to do the online check in as soon as it opens just in case you run into issues or questions. 

I cannot print your cruise luggage tags or cruise documents until the online check-in has been completed for all guests within the cabin.

You will check in either online by signing into your NCL account or you can use the Norwegian app.

New health and safety steps added to Online Check-In will significantly cut down processing time at the pier. Experience a much faster, more seamless boarding process when you complete all required steps listed below. Online Check-In for all guests is required to download your eDocs (boarding pass). Port security requires each guest to present their eDocs to enter the pier.

Complete these steps in Online Check-In:

• Travel Documentation: Provide passport number or travel documentation information
• Flight Information: Provide airline details and purchase transfers to the pier and back to the airport.
• Onboard Payment Preferences: Select either credit card, debit card or cash
• Take a Selfie Photo: Use your computer webcam or mobile phone camera to capture your pre-cruise security photo. You can come back to this step on the Mobile app if you don't have a web cam.

These steps will be available 21 days prior to your sail date:

• Reserve an arrival time to check-in at the pier. You will only be allowed to enter the terminal during this time.
• Watch the Required Safety Video in advance to avoid large crowd gathering onboard. Learn important muster drill, life jacket and onboard safety procedures.

I cannot do the online check in for you because you must read and agree to various terms and conditions. However, if you need assistance with the online check in process, please let us know. 

By now, you should have all of your specialty dining reservations made, entertainment reservations made, shore excursions booked and any add ons or upgrades purchased. You should be checked in online. 

You can download and print out your paper luggage tags from your eDocs on from your online NCL account.

If you purchased air, please make sure you signed up for airline alerts so that they come to your phone immediately. Let me know if you need assistance doing that. 

You will want to make sure you check in for your flights 24 hours in advance. Confirm the time and seats, as they do get changed at times. 

Make sure to pack your proper identification documents for check in at the port. 

Have a great trip!!

U.S. CITIZENS:

If your cruise starts & ends in the same U.S. home port, you must bring ONE of the following:

• Passport Book (valid for 6 months after the sail date)
• Passport Card (will not be able to fly internationally with the card but can sail)
• State-issued Birth Certificate with license or photo I.D.
• Enhanced Drivers License (EDL's are only issued in the states of Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington).

If your cruise starts & ends in different U.S. ports

• Passport Book (valid for 6 months past the sail date)
• Passport Card (will not be able to fly internationally with card but can sail)

If your cruise depart in another country, everyone must have a Passport Book.

No refunds will be given to individuals who fail to bring proper documentation.

A "Real ID" is not considered an Enhanced Drivers License. 

Kids 15 and under only need a passport or birth certificate, no photo ID.

For additional United States passport information visit the United States Department of State travel information website. 

_____________________ 

The cruise line strongly recommends all guests to obtain a passport book for their cruise vacation for the following reasons:

• If you miss the ship at its scheduled U.S. departure port and need to travel outside the U.S. to meet the ship at the next port, a passport would be required to travel internationally by air.
• If you unexpectedly need to depart the ship from a foreign port prior to the end of sailing, a passport would be required to travel home by air.
• International ports of call can change their travel requirements at their own discretion and may unexpectedly require all guests to have a valid passport to go ashore.

Panama Canal or Cruises Visiting Panamanian Ports

Valid passports are required to board the ship for all Panama Canal sailings. No passport cards, birth certificates or other form of proof of US citizenship will be accepted. Failure to present a valid passport at check-in will result in denial of boarding. On cruises that visit a port of call in Panama but do NOT go through the Panama Canal, Panamanian authorities require all guests to have a valid passport in order to go ashore. Guests that do not have a passport will be blocked from going ashore in Panama on these sailings.

Click here for visa requirements and info on obtaining visas.

To find out if your state is in compliance, please click here.

To learn more about REAL ID, please click here.